Posted: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 12:00 am
Unlike so many of their fathers and grandfathers, men are embracing not just an affection for food, but a gusto for making it and a willingness to spend big chunks of disposable income on the toys to do so.
Gone are the days when "man food" meant beer, grilling and Hungry-Man frozen dinners.
Though the Food Network was launched mostly for women, network executives say men quickly tuned in and now account for half of all viewers. And at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., men represent half of students in the school's amateur classes.
Ad campaigns aimed at this group showcase pricey espresso machines, NASCAR-themed cookbooks and industrial-style kitchen goods.
It's not just the food world that's pandering to this interest in edibles.
Ten years ago at Men's Health magazine, a publication known for workout routines, sex advice and cover shots of buff guys, recipes were among the least read stories.
"Now recipes are the most read stories in our magazine," said David Zinczenko, the magazine's editor-in-chief.
And much as men once memorized sports stats, it's become hip to know who the hot chefs are, where the must-eat-at restaurant of the moment is, and demonstrate fluency in the languages of wine and fine foods.
Fresh finds: Prickly pear
This large, egg-shaped fruit is really a berry, writes. Elizabeth Schneider in "Uncommon Fruits and Vegetables: A Commonsense Guide."
Its most surprising feature is its vivid red flesh, which makes a great visual addition to fruit bowls. The exterior turns from green to red when ripe. Flavor is reminiscent of a flowery melon, and is used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.
Prickly pears are ripe when they give slightly when squeezed. Avoid very soft or wrinkled fruit. Take care when cutting up the fruit. Though most come with the needles removed, some may still remain. Schneider's method for removing the skin is to spear the fruit with a fork, cut off each end, then cut the skin from end to end and peel it back from the flesh.
If seeds are soft, the fruit can be sliced to serve in a fruit bowl or out of hand. If the seeds are hard, use the fruit in sauces or drinks after pureeing in a blender and straining out the seeds.
Source: MCT